'Independence Day: Resurgence' is a follow-up sequel to the 1996 blockbuster hit 'Independence Day'. Explosions, alien attacks and people running for their lives - those were scenes from the earlier movie, and likely to be mirrored in the next. A number of teaser trailers released prior to the film's premiere next year showed audiences what to expect for the newest alien invasion epic. Some of the original cast will be back, except for Will Smith.
According to the Daily Mail, director Roland Emmerich and lead actor Jeff Goldblum released some film shorts on social media last July 4, 2015. Most of these teasers were captioned with "We're fighting for our right to live. To Exist." This may give way to some insight on how things will be for the next movie. Emmerich said, "It is a post-world war generation which is unified."
Reprising their roles are actors Jeff Goldblum, Bill Pullman, Vivica Fox, Judd Hirsch and Brent Spiner, along with newcomers Liam Hemsworth, Jessie Usher and Maika Monroe. Where is Will Smith? According to Cinema Blend, Emmerich addressed Smith's absence during a press event for the launch of 'Independence Day: Resurgence'.
He said, "In the very beginning, I wanted to work with him and he was excited to be in it but then after a while he was tired of sequels, and he did another science fiction film, which was his father-son story, so he opted out." Emmerich was referring to another father and son science-fiction movie, 'After Earth', which Smith filmed with his real life son Jaden.
In another report by New York Daily News, the director added another reason why Smith is out of the film. He said, "Will Smith cannot come back because he's too expensive, but he'd also be too much of a marquee name."
Almost two decades after its predecessor's release, 'Independence Day: Resurgence' will hit the big screens on June 24, 2016. It is an upcoming science-fiction disaster film under the direction Emmerich whose past works included the first film 'Independence Day', 'Godzilla', 'The Day After Tomorrow', and '2012'.
'Independence Day: Resurgence' is set several years after the aftermath in the first film wherein humans create an advanced defense system for planet Earth utilizing alien technology while trying to recover from the previous attack. However, there is a new group of alien invaders out for revenge and threatening humanity once again.
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